Helical structures in the nuclei of free-living amebas

Abstract

Helical structures have been described in the Feulgen positive area of the nucleus of Amoeba proteus (1, 2) and more recently in the nuclei of Pelomyxa carolinensis (Chaos chaos). The helices are usually in clusters arranged radially from a central axis. Clusters of helices are found in the area of the nucleus subadjacent to the peripheral ring of “ nucleoli” or dense granules characteristic of these two species.

This investigation was supported in part by research grant B 1202 (c) from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness of the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service.